About Scout Movement                                        (Compiled by – Mrs  Madhu Rana, Guide Captain)

Scout Movement, is a worldwide Youth Movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society.

The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a valur system based on scout promise and law to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

The movement employes the Scout Method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout Uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and making for equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable head wear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.

Scouting began in 1907 when Robert Baden Powel, Lieutant General in British Army held the first scouting encampment at Brownsea Island in England.

Girls also wanted to become part of the movement as soon as it began. Baden Powel and his sister Agnes Baden Powel introduced Girl Guides in 1910, a parallel movement for girls.
At the international level, the two largest umbrella organizations are :

• World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) for Boys-only and co-educational organizations.
• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), primarily for Girls-only and co-educational organizations.

In 2008, there were over 28 million Scouts and 10 million Guides registered around the world from 216 countries and territories. There are more than 2.14 million Scouts and 1.3 million Guides who are members of Bharat Scouts and Guides affiliated troops.

Although Scout and Guide Units are separate they have some co-educational activities such as Jamborees, rallies and conferences. Handicapped boys and girls also participate in the scouting programme.

The United Nations selected Bharat Scouts and Guides a honorary ‘Peace Messengers’ for their significant and concrete contributions to the International Year of Peace in 1986.

Famous Scouts include Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates.